Month: June 2025

Vikings Didn’t Pursue Jaire Alexander, Jalen Ramsey

The Vikings did not move to acquire Jaire Alexander or Jalen Ramsey when they became available this spring despite the perception of a thin cornerback room.

Minnesota parted ways with veteran Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin this offseason and only retained Byron Murphy from last year’s starting unit. The team then signed 2020 first-rounder Jeff Okudah and former Eagle Isaiah Rodgers to inexpensive short-term deals in free agency.

The trio of Murphy, Okudah, and Rodgers have been the Vikings’ starting cornerbacks in spring practices, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Also taking first-team reps were 2023 third-rounder Mekhi Blackmon, who missed all of last year with a torn ACL, and 2024 UDFA Dwight McGlothern, who made the 53-man roster as a rookie.

The Vikings are confident in that group, and as a result, acquiring Alexander or Ramsey was “always a longshot,” per Lewis. However, as Lewis notes, that does not mean that the team didn’t inquire about either player.

Alexander is now a Raven, and while Ramsey is still available, Minnesota does not appear to be a likely landing spot. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has typically avoided splashy trade acquisitions during his tenure, the lone exception being T.J. Hockenson at the 2022 deadline. The Dolphins’ desire to move Ramsey and his sizable contract have likely dropped his value to a mid-round draft pick, but the Vikings seem content in the depth and chemistry of their current cornerback corps.

Colts’ Anthony Richardson Expects To Return By Training Camp

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is expecting to recover from a shoulder injury suffered during OTAs in time for training camp in July, per CBS Sports’ Zach Goodall.

Richardson said that he is “all good” and downplayed his recent injury as “not really even a bump in the road. However, it is a worrying sign for a former top-five pick who only played 15 games in his first two seasons. Richardson was already considered a raw prospect coming out of college, and his struggles to stay on the field have stunted his development in the pros.

Even when Richardson has been healthy, he has not been a starting-caliber quarterback. In 2024, he completed less than 50% of his passes and threw more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (eight). That caused the Colts to bring in Daniel Jones for $14MM this offseason as legitimate competition for the starting quarterback job.

Missing minicamp may not have put Richardson behind Jones, who had to learn a new offense, but an extended absence could put him at a disadvantage against the former Giant. Jones may have lost his starting job in New York, but he has still performed better than his new teammate in the last two years.

Richardson is determined, however, to not let his latest setback sideline him for training camp.

“I feel like I tripped, I fell,” continued Richardson (via Goodall). “Just got back up and hit the ground running again.”

CB Rasul Douglas Does Not Anticipate Packers Reunion

Rasul Douglas is among the notable corners still unsigned at this point of the offseason. The ninth-year veteran’s next destination is unclear, but a return to the Packers should not be expected.

While responding on X to a fan’s question regarding a potential Green Bay reunion, Douglas made it clear he does not think that will happen. The 29-year-old played 36 games with the Packers during his tenure with the team, a run which came to an end when he was sent to the Bills ahead of the 2023 trade deadline. Douglas was a full-time starter in Buffalo, but he was not retained this spring.

The Seahawks lined up a free agent visit with Douglas in May, an indication of interest on the team’s part. No deal came of it, however. The former third-rounder is also known to be a potential Dolphins target as Miami prepares for a 2025 cornerback setup not featuring Jalen Ramsey. Alongside the likes of Kendall Fuller, Asante Samuel Jr. and Mike Hilton, Douglas will look to line up his next opportunity before NFL training camps open next month.

Talk of a Douglas return to Green Bay came about in the wake of the Jaire Alexander release. The Packers moved on from the two-time Pro Bowler after no trade partner could be found and a restructure could not be agreed to. Alexander’s absence leaves Green Bay without a full-time starter at the cornerback spot, but a move aimed at replacing him this summer should not be expected at this point.

Matt Schneidman of The Athletic writes an outside addition is not anticipated in the wake of Alexander’s release (subscription required). Green Bay has returnees Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine along with free agent addition Nate Hobbs atop the CB depth chart entering training camp. The team has also experimented with receiver Bo Melton at corner, although a full-time position change is not currently being planned.

The Packers find themselves near the top of the league in terms of spending power with over $35MM in cap space. An addition to their secondary would therefore be affordable, but pursuing one of the available options – especially Douglas – would come as a surprise.

Micah Parsons Still Aiming For Cowboys Extension Prior To Training Camp

The Cowboys’ offseason program came and went without a Micah Parsons extension agreement being reached. The threat of missed time (or at least non-participation) during training camp now exists, but the All-Pro is still targeting a deal being worked out before mid-July.

“I’m pretty hopeful,” Parsons said about the timeline of an extension (via Jori Epstein of Yahoo! Sports). “I’m still hanging tight. I understand it’s up to [owner Jerry Jones] and he gives the green light on everything. So hopefully something’s done by next month.”

Parsons once targeted March as the time for a deal to be in place. Having his financial outlook sorted out ahead of free agency would have helped inform Dallas’ other moves this spring, but since the framework of an agreement was reached in person between Parsons and Jones there has been little progress in extension talks. In addition to finances, the length of a monster deal appears to be a sticking point between the parties.

The top of the pass rush market stands at $40MM annually, but T.J. Watt in particular represents a candidate to move the bar even higher. As Parsons (who is four years younger than Watt) waits to see how the Steelers fare with their top edge rusher, he could elect to delay signing a Dallas extension in a bid to become the league’s top earner at the position. As things stand, the Penn State product is due to earn $24.01MM on his fifth-year option.

A long-term deal will be worth far more, but it will be interesting to see if Parsons and the Cowboys – known to prefer longer term on their extension agreements – can find common ground on that front before finalizing the financial details of a contract. It took deep into the offseason last year for CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott to sign their respective pacts, and Parsons not having his in hand by the start of camp (July 21) would add further uncertainty to the Cowboys’ top storyline.

The two-time All-Pro previously stated he would attend training camp (and thus avoid mandatory fines) without taking part in on-field work. Parsons confirmed he will be in Oxnard, California during his latest remarks on his future, but when asked this time whether or not he would participate he replied, “we’ll see. Time will tell.”

PFR Originals: Steelers, Wilson, WRs, Linderbaum, Browns

Here is a rundown of PFR’s recent originals:

  • Reviewing Steelers’ QB Moves: The post-Ben Roethlisberger era has not gone according to plan for the Steelers. I looked back at each of the six quarterbacks who have started games for them between Roethlisberger’s retirement and the expected Aaron Rodgers signing. The latter is only in place for 2025, and regardless of how he fares Pittsburgh will be tasked with finding a long-term solution next offseason.
  • Previewing FifthYear Option Seasons: A number of high-profile members of the 2021 draft class have established themselves as stars and have received lucrative extensions as a result. Others are still in place with their respective teams but face an uncertain future beyond the coming season. Sam Robinson broke down each of the nine players currently set to play on their fifth-year option in 2025. That list includes the likes of Micah Parsons (Cowboys) and Rashawn Slater (Chargers) who have discussed big-ticket deals this spring and could wind up at or near the top of their respective markets.
  • Looking Into Wilson Extension: The new Jets regime has a number of notable decisions to make regarding extensions for the team’s young core. One of those pertains to wideout Garrett Wilson, who is eligible for a long-term deal for the first time in his career. Nikhil Mehta took a look into a potential Wilson contract, one which could carry an annual average value of $30MM or more. The Jets also have a massive Sauce Gardner extension to work out, but locking up Wilson for the foreseeable future would represent a key feat as well.
  • Evaluating WR Trades: Four veteran receivers have been traded this offseason, with three of those moves marking the first time in the player’s career they joined a new team. I polled PFR’s readers about which of the swaps – Deebo Samuel to the Commanders, Christian Kirk to the Texans, D.K. Metcalf to the Steelers and George Pickens to the Cowboys – will prove most beneficial. In each case but Metcalf’s, this year’s trades represented a rental agreement. Opinions were split, with three different options receiving at least 26% of the vote.
  • Tracking Traded 2026 Picks: On the topic of trades, several swaps affecting picks in next year’s draft have already taken place. Sam listed each selection which has changed hands with several months remaining before the April 2026 event. That includes the Jaguars’ and Falcons’ first-rounders, which now respectively belong to the Browns and Rams.
  • Detailing Linderbaum’s Extension Candidacy: The Ravens made the expected move of picking up safety Kyle Hamilton‘s 2026 fifth-year option, but they declined to do the same with center Tyler LinderbaumThe latter is thus a pending free agent at the moment, and Nikhil investigated an extension in his case. Linderbaum, 25, is already a two-time Pro Bowler and a long-term deal can be expected to bring him to (or at least near) the top of the position’s financial pecking order.
  • Exploring Harris, Okoronkwo Cuts: With training camp not far away, roster cuts will become a main talking point around the league relatively soon. In the case of the Browns, that could see one or both of defensive tackle Shelby Harris or edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkw fail to make the team. I broke down the financial impact of a release in both cases, something which Cleveland will of course take into account when evaluating the final year of both veterans’ deals.

Latest On Raiders’ Secondary Plans

The free agent departures of Tre’von Moehrig and Nate Hobbs created notable vacancies in the secondary for Las Vegas. The team will have a number of new faces in place this year as a result, and training camp will see multiple battles for starting spots take place.

During OTAs, free agent addition Eric Stokes and third-round rookie Darien Porter handled starting duties at the cornerback spots. Those two are in line to remain atop the depth chart through the summer as a result, but other options will content for a fist-team gig. One of those is Jakorian Bennett, whom The Athletic’s Tashan Reed notes is the top contender to earn a starter’s role during training camp (subscription required).

Bennett joined the Raiders as a fourth-round pick in 2023. He notched four starts as a rookie before seeing a notable jump in playing time last year. The 24-year-old logged a 71% snap share on defense, totaling eight pass breakups and managing to avoid allowing a touchdown as the nearest defender in coverage. Bennett has two years remaining on his rookie deal, so he will provide the Raiders with a cost-effective CB option even if he is unable to unseat Stokes and Porter this summer (an effort which will be aided once he recovers in full from a torn labrum suffered in November).

Darnay Holmes – who was only a part-time defender in 2024, his debut season with the Raiders – is in line to handle a notable role in the slot, Reed adds. Vegas could use a number of three-safety looks this season, though, especially given free agent addition Jeremy Chinn‘s tendency to play near the line of scrimmage. In cases where three safeties were used this spring, Lonnie Johnson Jrcame onto the field. The seven-year veteran could therefore find himself handling a notable workload on his latest team.

While the Raiders are not in the market for Jalen Ramsey, they have the cap space to make an addition or two in the secondary. One veteran corner who could be of interest, per Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is Mike Hilton. The 31-year-old remains on the free agent market with his four-year Bengals run having come to an end. A veteran of 123 games and 56 starts, Hilton would give the Raiders another experienced option in the slot.

Plenty of time remains for the team to make moves affecting the secondary. Regardless of what takes place during the first training camp with the new regime, though, that unit will be one to watch closely.

Examining Steelers’ Post-Ben Roethlisberger Quarterbacks

For 18 years, the Steelers enjoyed stability at the quarterback spot with Ben Roethlisberger in place. The Super Bowl winner’s retirement after the 2021 campaign came as no surprise at the time, but it left the team in need of a long-term successor.

That still represents a notable vacancy beyond 2025 given Aaron Rodgers’ age. The 41-year-old expectedly took a one-year deal to head to Pittsburgh, and he will aim to provide the team with a high floor under center compared to his predecessors. As of next offseason, though, another effort will need to be made to find a signal-caller capable of holding down the starter’s role over an extended period and competing with the AFC’s top offenses.

Prior to the Rodgers signing, the Steelers took a number of paths in their attempts to find a genuine Roethlisberger successor. An examination of the quarterbacks who have been used since 2022 and their success (or, to an extent, lack thereof) in Pittsburgh helps explain the team’s willingness to bring in Rodgers under unusual circumstances.

Mason Rudolph (2018-23; 2025)

After not seeing the field as a rookie, Rudolph took part in a sustained run of action in place of an injured Roethlisberger in 2019. The Oklahoma State product won five of his eight starts, but he put up pedestrian numbers along the way. Backup duties were again his purview through the next three years.

Playing on a pair of short-term deals, Rudolph became a familiar face on offense during his time in Pittsburgh. He only managed 13 starts across his first stint with the franchise, however, and the team’s moves following Roethlisberger’s retirement have illustrated the extent to which Rudolph is not viewed as a long-term QB1 option. The 29-year-old departed in free agency last spring.

Taking a one-year deal with the Titans, Rudolph found himself in and out of the lineup in 2024. Will Levis struggled to develop as the team hoped, and poor play along with injuries opened the door for Rudolph to see time atop the depth chart. The latter posted a new career high in passing yards per game (191) but he threw as many interceptions (nine) as touchdowns.

With Tennessee looking to find a new franchise passer via the No. 1 pick in April’s draft, Rudolph found himself on the move again. His return to Pittsburgh came with a warning of sorts from the team regarding the pursuit of a more established starter for 2025. A long wait ensued with the Rodgers deal taking until just before minicamp, but through the spring Rudolph sat atop the depth chart. Head coach Mike Tomlin publicly endorsed him as a starting option, but any first-team action in 2025 will come as an injury replacement.

Under contract for the next two years, Rudolph’s second Steelers stint will cover not only the Rodgers experiment but also the early development of sixth-round rookie Will Howard. He will operate as a familiar face (albeit not for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith) if and when given the opportunity to play this season before likely seeing another high draft investment made in the 2026 draft.

Devlin Hodges (2019)

A former undrafted free agent, Hodges wound up seeing a somewhat notable run during his one and only year of regular season NFL game action. The Samford product made a total of six starts, including each of the final five that year. The Steelers went .500 during his time at the helm, and Hodges avoided many turnovers in games Pittsburgh won. A three-game losing streak ensued to close out the campaign, however, and he threw six interceptions during that spell.

Hodges did not play his way into an extended tenure in Pittsburgh. He did manage to remain in the organization through the 2020 season, but that spell came about on the Steelers’ practice squad. The 29-year-old then landed a futures deal with the Rams in 2021, but he did not survive roster cuts.

Upon seeing his time in the NFL come to an end, Hodges made a brief attempt to continue his career north of the border. The 2022 campaign saw him make a total of four appearances in the CFL, but things did not go as planned on that front. Hodges retired in April of that year.

Mitch Trubisky (2022-23)

After his Bears tenure came to an end, the former No. 2 pick spent a single season handling backup duties with the Bills. Trubisky then joined the Steelers as their short-term starter (in anticipation of a more permanent option being drafted). Indeed, the first four weeks saw him occupy the top of the depth chart before the decision was made to move in another direction. Trubisky made another two starts but totaled just four touchdown passes on the year while putting up other numbers similar with his career averages.

Upon signing a two-year extension, Trubisky remained in the fold but was less involved in Pittsburgh’s QB setup. The 30-year-old started two of his five appearances and was again unable to deliver a strong statistical impact. To no surprise, then, questions were raised about his tenure with the Steelers.

Last offseason, Pittsburgh proceeded with a full housecleaning under center. That effort included moving on from Trubisky with one year left on his deal. The North Carolina product finalized his next deal in short order by returning to the familiar role of QB2 in Buffalo. Options such as Trubisky are of course available every offseason, but especially with Rudolph back in place for 2025 and ’26 (along with Howard for the next four years) other high-floor, low-ceiling signings should not be expected in the near future.

Kenny Pickett (2022-23)

The 2022 draft class was widely considered an underwhelming one, but Pickett was long seen as the most pro-ready option for interested teams. The Steelers – more familiar with the Pitt product than most – were certainly among them, and it came as no surprise when they selected him 20th overall. 24 at the time his rookie campaign began, Pickett entered the league with high expectations in terms of being able to contribute right away and guide a team featuring a top-10 scoring defense to success.

Upon taking over QB1 duties from Trubisky, Pickett led three fourth quarter comebacks. A four-game winning streak to close out season was not enough for a playoff berth, however, and a 76.7 passer rating was one of several underwhelming individual statistics. Still, Pickett showed enough potential to begin the following season atop the depth chart.

In 2023, though, things did not develop as hoped. Pickett averaged just 173 passing yards per game while posting a 6:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 12 games. Limitations within Matt Canada’s offense were partially to blame, but after returning to full health from a sprained ankle Pickett found himself benched in favor of Rudolph. The latter handled starting duties down the stretch and during Pittsburgh’s wild-card loss.

With the Steelers eyeing competition for Pickett (at first) last offseason, the free agent signing of Russell Wilson made it clear the team was heading in another direction at the QB spot. Pickett requested to be dealt, and that did wind up taking place with his trade to the Eagles. Following one year as Jalen Hurtsbackup, the Super Bowl winner is now in a four-way QB competition in Cleveland.

A pending 2026 free agent, Pickett’s future remains highly uncertain. His career has certainly not gone as planned so far, and the Steelers’ decision to move on from him after only two years illustrates the risk associated with high draft investments (particularly in quarterback classes such as his).

Russell Wilson (2024)

Through the 2023 campaign, signs pointed to a parting of ways between Wilson and the Broncos. Denver did indeed proceed with a release despite the move generating an $85MM dead money hit. Before Wilson officially became a free agent, he was free to speak with interested teams. The Steelers were among them, and a one-year deal taking advantage of the offset money from his Broncos pact was arranged.

Wilson spent the offseason in pole position for the starting gig, but a calf injury suffered late in training camp left him sidelined through the first six weeks of the campaign. Immediately upon returning to full health, though, Tomlin installed him as the team’s No. 1 in a move which was not unanimous. At first, the decision proved to be a sound one with the Steelers reaching a mark of 10-3.

That positive start to the season was met with a four-game losing streak followed by a lopsided wild-card loss. Wilson and the offense were not exclusively responsible for the struggles late in the year, but changes were seen as necessary to improve for 2025. At 36, Wilson would not have represented a long-term investment under center even if he had been retained.

As Pittsburgh looked elsewhere to find an internal or external starter, Wilson turned his attention to a few potential destinations. One of those was New York, and after visiting the Giants last offseason the Super Bowl winner joined them this time around. First-round rookie Jaxson Dart looms as a replacement as early as this season, but for now Wilson is set to operate as the starter on his fourth career team.

Justin Fields (2024)

Shortly after the Wilson signing, Fields found himself on the move from Chicago to Pittsburgh. The former No. 20 pick’s time with the Bears was known to be coming to an end once the team committed to selecting Caleb Williams first overall in the 2024 draft. As intended, general manager Ryan Poles sent Fields to the Steelers based on the chance that move provided for him to earn a starting spot.

Wilson’s calf issue opened the door to Fields leading the offense through the first six games of the campaign. Pittsburgh went 4-2 over that span, and his accuracy when at the helm (65.8% completion percentage) was by far the highest of his career. A 5:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio indicated at least incremental progress had been made compared to his Bears tenure. Fields added five rushing touchdowns in a demonstration of his dual-threat skillset.

Wilson’s return to health prevented Fields from being able to regain an opportunity in the QB1 spot. The latter being benched by Tomlin was a factor in his free agent decision. A number of suitors emerged for Fields, who wound up taking a two-year deal with the Jets containing $30MM in guarantees. Pittsburgh was interested in retaining the Ohio State product, even reportedly preferring him to a short-term Rodgers signing.

In the end, Fields will look to find long-term stability with the Jets. The 26-year-old would have represented a far younger option to most others available to Pittsburgh this year, but the team will count (for the immediate future at least) on Rodgers managing to remain healthy and return to an extent to his previous form. Fields’ $20MM AAV ranks 20th in the NFL amongst signal-callers, so it will be interesting to see if a similar investment on the Steelers’ part will prove to have been worthwhile in the long run.

Altogether, the sextet of Steelers passers between Roethlisberger and Rodgers posted a record of 37-31-1 between the regular and postseason. As the team looks to end its drought regarding playoff wins – which dates back to 2016 – even an incremental upgrade in play under center could be key. Provided Rodgers takes the field in Week 1, he will become Pittsburgh’s sixth different starter in a span of only 24 games dating back to December 2023 (h/t Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review).

Regardless of how things play out this season, selecting another new quarterback high in next year’s draft (as hosts) will be a Steelers priority. The outcome of the team’s most recent moves at the position demonstrate the consequences of being unable to find a long-term answer.

Ravens CB Jaire Alexander Considered Dolphins, Falcons

The Ravens recently made a big splash in free agency, signing All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander to a one-year, $4MM contract. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Alexander wasn’t totally sold on the idea of going to Baltimore at first, but his in-person visit sold him on the Ravens.

Fowler notes that Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta was in on Alexander since March, when trade rumors began to circulate about the two-time Pro Bowler. So, when Alexander was finally released, Baltimore jumped at the opportunity to bring him in. Alexander was reportedly a bit noncommittal about any sort of deal, but he told the team he was willing to visit.

Alexander was testing free agency for the first time in his seven-year career. You never want to take the first offer given to you, so it makes sense to build a competitive market. The Bills had been active in trade conversations for Alexander early and were one of the first teams expressing interest, and though early reports showed that the Dolphins and Rams were not showing interest in Alexander, amidst the trade conversations with Jalen Ramsey, Fowler told us yesterday that Miami was another team Alexander was considering. The other team he was considering before signing with the Ravens was the Falcons.

The Dolphins always made a lot of sense as a destination for Alexander, so it was strange when the aforementioned report denied interest. Assuming Ramsey indeed departs from Miami, the team will have a significant hole to file. The team opted to cut starter Kendall Fuller for cap purposes, and up to this point, they have not re-signed him to a more team friendly deal, though he remains a free agent.

Kader Kohou is a good nickelback, but Miami has two gaping holes on the boundaries that are currently being filled by Storm Duck, an undrafted rookie last year who started three games, Cam Smith, a second-round corner who played almost exclusively on special teams in Year 1, spent all but six weeks of Year 2 injured, and has no starts in his career, and perhaps even Jason Marshall, a fifth-round rookie out of Florida.

In Atlanta, the need isn’t quite as big for Alexander. They return a relatively strong corps of AJ Terrell, Mike Hughes, and a strong CB3 in Clark Phillips III on the boundary and Dee Alford in the slot. While the team could probably improve on the nickelback position, that’s never been a spot Alexander has frequented.

Instead, Alexander arrived in Baltimore, and according to Fowler, immediate chemistry with everyone in the organization, including his former teammate at Louisville, Lamar Jackson, sold Alexander on signing with the Ravens.

He helps complete a solid-looking secondary that was perhaps looking a bit weaker after the Ar’Darius Washington injury. Instead of T.J. Tampa and Chidobe Awuzie battling it out for the starting spot across from Nate Wiggins, Alexander can slide in there, leaving Tampa and Awuzie as capable backups. In the meantime, Marlon Humphrey can settle into the slot, where he’s been playing more and more in recent years, while All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton and first-round rookie Malaki Starks patrol behind them.

Jaguars Sign WR/CB Travis Hunter

Earlier this month, Travis Hunter and the Jaguars were not close to an agreement regarding his rookie contract. Team and player have now finalized the deal, however.

The 2024 Heisman winner signed his four-year pact on Sunday, per a team announcement. Hunter will collect $46.65MM as this year’s second overall selection, and that figure includes a $30.57MM signing bonus. ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes Hunter has received his entire signing bonus up front (as opposed to in installments as usual). There is limited precedent for such a move (h/t Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk), but it nevertheless marks a departure from standard practice.

Many presumed Hunter would hear his name called just after Cam Ward, and that did indeed wind up happening. The fact the Jaguars – not the Browns – selected him came as a surprise, though. Cleveland and Jacksonville pulled off a swap negotiated well in advance which allowed the Jags to move up to No. 2 and draft the two-way Colorado product.

Once of the most intriguing storylines leading up to this year’s draft was the matter of how Hunter would be used in the NFL. The Jaguars opened the offseason by having him acclimate to the receiver spot, but by the onset of OTAs he was also taking reps as a cornerback. It is expected that will continue through training camp as the team evaluates how to manage his workload as a rookie. That could very well shift on a week-to-week basis, especially depending on how Jacksonville’s WR and CB depth charts shake out over the coming months.

First-year general manager James Gladstone has made no secret about how highly he thinks of Hunter since the opening night of the draft. The All-American was an impact player on both sides of the ball in college, averaging well over 100 total snaps per game last season. He will take on the challenge of replicating that workload over the course of his rookie deal (which could run through 2029 in the event his fifth-year option is picked up).

The Jags have two remaining unsigned members of their draft class given today’s news. Needless to say, though, the team’s most lucrative pact on that front has now been taken care of.

Bengals, Trey Hendrickson Not Close To Extension Agreement

One week ago, Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals resumed talks on an extension. Without any new progress being made on that front, though, a number of issues are yet to be resolved.

Finances – including, no doubt, guarantees – have proven to be a sticking point between team and player in this years-long saga. In addition, it appears the length of any extension agreement is not a factor the parties can agree on. A gap exists between Hendrickson and the Bengals on this front, ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted during a recent Pat McAfee Show appearance (video link).

Cincinnati’s preference at this point would be a one-year deal, per Schefter. Such an arrangement would keep Hendrickson on the books through the 2026 campaign. The sides have already agreed to a stop-gap deal once before, but the reigning sack leader is understandably seeking a longer term on his next pact. As things stand, Hendrickson is owed $16MM; much of that figure is comprised of a base salary which is not guaranteed.

The four-time Pro Bowler skipped minicamp and has threatened to remain away from the team into the regular season in the absence of an extension agreement. Hendrickson’s exact asking price is unknown, but a pact around the $35MM mark in terms of AAV would move him near the top of the pass rush market (something which will likely continue to move upward once some or all of Micah Parsons, T.J. Watt and Aidan Hutchinson ink their new deals). To date the Bengals have not been willing to offer a pact in the range of what Danielle Hunter ($35.6MM), Maxx Crosby ($35.5MM) or Nick Bosa ($34MM) are attached to in terms of annual earnings.

Hendrickson has amassed 57 sacks in 63 games with Cincinnati, notching 17.5 in each of the past two seasons. The former Saint’s trade request was denied last offseason, but the Bengals took a different stance in 2025. Offers came in, although the team’s asking price was not met. As the countdown to training camp continues, a trade would come as a surprise to many around the league.

Cincinnati finished in a tie for 25th in sacks despite Hendrickson’s production, an illustration of his importance to the team. Age will be a key factor in negotiations with the 30-year-old, who was informed by the team last year another strong campaign would be met with a new deal. The Bengals have managed to hammer out monster agreements with wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins this offseason, but nothing is imminent as it pertains to Hendrickson.

A training camp absence would result in mandatory fines, whereas a hold-in effort would be a mark of ongoing issues at the negotiating table. It will be interesting to see if progress can be made regarding term length and, if so, whether or not that helps bring about a final agreement.